Grand Floridian or Poly for December?

[MrsJ Henry]

Ok, We are leaving for WDW in less than a month and I'm playing around planning the next trip in Dec. ( My friends and family are right.... I am obsessed!!) We are going Dec 3-10 probably-- for my 42nd birthday

Well My husband and I (We have no kids just the two of us)were talking about staying on the monorail this time.
We have stayed at the AKL and the YC. ( We are staying at AKL again this trip)
Now, YC is our favorite. We loved it there and it is "US"
Now, That being said. We are having a hard time deciding on the Poly or the Grand Floridian.

What would you pick? I know so many of you out there have stayed at one or both of these resorts. I would love to have your opinions.

 

[kelscross]

I'll let you know after our trip in July about the GF!! Ha! We ended up staying at the Poly this December and although many posters said it was hardly decorated for xmas I thought it was decorated very nicely. Either resort aside...you can't beat riding that monorail, BUT the best way we found was riding the little boat to and from the MK. It only stops at the GF and the Poly.

Have fun!

 

[Meezers]

I haven't stayed at either but visited both during last December.

It is my dream wish to stay at GF...so that would be my vote.

They are both beautiful but for some reason GF just attracks me like a bee to honey!

 

[DiznEeyore]

I haven't stayed there, but I've visited the GF at Christmas, and it is *beautiful*. The Poly is lovely anytime, but for Christmas? Definitely the GF.

 

[MrsJ Henry]

can anyone tell me which buildings at GF have smoking rooms? I also meant to ask that in my OP

 

[MinnieM21]

can anyone tell me which buildings at GF have smoking rooms? I also meant to ask that in my OP

Big Pine Key has smoking rooms.

I just wanted to add that you will LOVE the Grand Floridian, especially in December. In the lobby there is a giant Christmas tree which is beautiful and a lifesize gingerbread house. It's actually a little store where you can buy cookies! You won't regret choosing the GF.

 

[Leota]

I have stayed at both & would absolutely, hands down, without a second thought chose GF.
On top of liking GF better in general, I have visited both at Christmastime & nothing beats how the GF is decorated for the Holidays. It's just amazingly beautiful.

 

[MissionMouse]

I would suggest, since you will be at WDW within a month to check out these two resort sometime during your stay. People have very different taste and expectations, to include their list of likes and dislikes.

I would not select either of these two resorts based upon their Christmas doecorations. In fact, there is a walkway that connects these two resorts, so no matter which one you select...you can always take a quiet and romantic walk to view the seasonal decorations.

The GF offers a little more to guest when it comes to services and at times you may even see couples going all out with their wedding celebration to include the lighted Cinderella Horse Carriage and escorts.

 

[disneyfan67]

I'm going to have to say GF on this one even though I'm a Polynesian diehard fan! The Polynesian is a South Sea's themed resort and that just doesn't sound like Christmas to me. I've seen pictures of the GF decorated for the Holidays and the Christmas tree in the lobby looked beautiful. If I ever go to WDW for the Holidays that is where I'm going to stay for sure.

 

[MrsJ Henry]

Thanks folks.
We have seen both resorts and have walked through the lobby of both.
I think what we are most interested in would be: how are the rooms? How is the transportation to other parks other than MK? Also We loved the fact that YC and AKL are all contained in one building. Neither of these resorts have this. How is the walk to the bus or monorail?

I will say that we are leaning towards the GF.( especially the Christmas decorations... we saw them last year!!) I keep thinking maybe we will just stay at the YC again but we really should try another resort.

Because we would need to stay in a smoking room we would be in Big Pine Key. Have others stayed in this one? What did you think?

Boy , I guess I'm in a very questioning mood tonight

 

[MinnieM21]

Thanks folks.
We have seen both resorts and have walked through the lobby of both.
I think what we are most interested in would be: how are the rooms? How is the transportation to other parks other than MK? Also We loved the fact that YC and AKL are all contained in one building. Neither of these resorts have this. How is the walk to the bus or monorail?

I will say that we are leaning towards the GF.( especially the Christmas decorations... we saw them last year!!) I keep thinking maybe we will just stay at the YC again but we really should try another resort.

Because we would need to stay in a smoking room we would be in Big Pine Key. Have others stayed in this one? What did you think?

Boy , I guess I'm in a very questioning mood tonight

Here is a map so you can get a better idea of the layout of the Grand Floridian: http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/grandflomap.htm


I love the rooms at the Grand Floridian. The Big Pine Key is decorated in Alice in Wonderland. We were in Conch Key and it was also decorated in Alice in Wonderland. We love the dormer rooms (these are the rooms on the highest floor). They are somewhat smaller but they have vaulted ceilings which I loved.

Big Pine Key is the building next to the lobby. To get to the monorail, just go inside the lobby and up to the 2nd floor and you can board the monorail right outside the doors.
In this picture (from wdw-photos)of the lobby it shows where the monorail is. On the second floor, straight ahead, there are some doors. Those doors are the ones you'll go through to get to the monorail

To get to Epcot, just board the monorail at the GF. Then, you'll just need to get off at the Ticket and Transportation Center and board the monorail going towards Epcot. I haven't used the busses before though.

 

[Leota]

Even tho the GF has seperate buildings, it's not a far walk at all to anywhere. It's not big & sprawling like the mods/values.

Transportation was fantastic. The rooms were large, light, airy & comfortable. We had great service from all CM's we dealt with.

Funny thing is, I was so excited to stay at the Poly. I had wanted to stay there since I was a kid. Turned out to not be one of my favorite resorts. On the other hand, I had never really wanted to stay at the GF, thinking it wasn't really my style. I wound up staying there as part of the Happy Haunts package & fell completely in love with it.

 

[MrsTink04]

I have stayed at both and I LOVE the GF. I can't imagine not staying at the GF at least for a few days on any given trip. The rooms are beautiful, the CMs are helpful and AAAAGGGGGHHHHHH...I wish I was there RIGHT NOW!!!!

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

We stayed in Big Pine Key in Dec. and loved it. We had a beautiful view of the Wedding Chapel and Polynesian Resort. My children fed the ducks from our patio.

There is complimentary tea & coffee service in the Big Pine Key lobby every morning from 6:30-8:00.

Roasted chestnuts are served outdoors at the main entrance of the resort. Be sure to meet, Larry the greeter. He is a wonderful gentleman and loves to talk with the guests!

We'll be there at the same time!

Lori

 

[copper68]

why not split your stay between the two?

 

[SeeDisney]

I would definately postivity stay at the Grand Floridian. It's a stunning and gorgeous hotel.

Happy Birthday present to you!

 

[Ladyhawke10]

Another vote for the GF. While we enjoy visiting the Poly while at GF (for one, to watch the fireworks from the Poly beach for a change from the dock at GF) we love the ambience of the GF. There are more restaurants, a JACUZZI (poly lacks one), a wonderful waterfall pool, a great lobby w/ a gingerbread house in December, and just a great environment overall. The rooms are splendid.

 

[Tiggerrox]

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